The Defending National Champions will be without forward Harrison Shipp (12g, 10a) who was the team catalyst last year but with nine starters returning the Irish will be solid on both sides of the ball and deserve the number one ranking until someone else proves otherwise. The return of senior center midfielder Nick Besler (0g, 1a) who was a 2013 First Team All-ACC selection and junior outside midfielder Patrick Hodan (11g, 5a) who was a 2013 All-ACC Second Team selection will serve the Irish well. Senior forward Vince Cicciarelli (6g, 3a) could prove to be the X-Factor on the offensive side of the ball. Graduate student center back Andrew O'Malley will anchor the backline along with senior outside backs Max Lachowecki and Luke Mishu. Graduate student Patrick Wall who posted a 0.71 gaa last year and ten shutouts gives the Irish a very talented and experienced presence in goal.

#2

Virginia

The young Cavaliers were a year ahead of schedule last year when they advanced to the College Cup. In many ways Virginia's run to the Final Four last year was reminiscent of the days of old. Virginia will be without center back Kevin McBride who graduated, midfielder Jordan Allen (3g, 5a) who left early to enter the professional ranks, and a couple of players who transferred but a lot of talent returns led by senior midfielder Eric Bird (7g, 5a) and junior forward Darius Madison (6g, 3a) supplemented by a highly regarded recruiting class. Senior Ryan Zinkham (5g, 0a), and junior Todd Wharton (6g, 2a) are among a solid group of returning linkmen. Senior Matt Brown, junior Scott Thomsen and sophomore Patrick Foss are among returning defenders. Calle Brown returns in goal along with Spencer LaCivita who took a redshirt last year but was the starter in goal in 2011 and 2012. If the team chemistry is right this group is very capable of accomplishing even more in 2014.

#3

Maryland

The Terps will find out what life is like on the offensive side of the ball without do everything forward Patrick Mullins but there always seems to be another star or two in line at Maryland ready to take center stage. Most teams that just lost the services of a Herman Trophy winner would say they have some rebuilding to do but not Maryland. The Terps will be deep and athletic in 2014 and will begin play in the Big Ten Conference as a heavy favorite. Maryland started slow last year as their young backline settled in. No learning curve will be required in 2014 with sophomore backs Chris Odoi-Atsem and Suli Dainkeh, and Alex Crognale along with juniors Mikey Ambrose and a healthy Dakota Edwards all slated to return. Sophomore Zack Steffan is as good as they get in goal.

#4

UCLA

There is no team in the country with the depth and talent of UCLA, a comment you could make almost any year about the Bruins, the question will be can they put it all together come NCAA Tournament time. The decision of All-American midfielder Leo Stolz, who is as good as any player in the college game, to return for his senior season significantly raised the stock of the Bruins. UCLA will be solid up the spine with the return of the likes of goalkeeper Earl Edwards Jr, backs Aaron Simmons and Michael Amik, and midfielders Grady Howe and Stolz. The Bruins have also added a blockbuster recruiting class that includes junior forward Larry Ndjock and highly regarded true freshman forward Abu Danladi among others.

#5

Washington

Jamie Clark isn't afraid of change or a challenge. Last year the Huskies were a direct team that was always dangerous due to the long throw. This year expect the Huskies to build the game more and be dangerous going forward. The Huskies reached the Elite Eight in 2013 for the first time in the history of the program. A potent Washington attack produced 2.05 goals per game last year. Expect more of the same in 2014 compliments of returning forwards senior Darwin Jones (7g, 4a) and sophomore Mason Robertson (6g, 0a) and sophomore midfielder Cristian Roldan (7g, 5a) among others. The Huskies must replace All-American back Taylor Peay (6g, 0a) and long throw artist Michael Harris (2g, 10a) on the defensive side of the ball but a solid core of backs return along with two very talented goalkeepers in Spencer Richey and Ryan Herman.

#6

Connecticut

The Huskies have advanced to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament for the past three seasons. Connecticut fans expecting a little more in 2014 might just get their wish. Ray Reid will field a team will depth, experience, and sophomore midfielder Cyle Larin (14g, 3a) returning to power the attack. Senior midfielder Adria Beso Marco (0g, 10a, junior forward Nicholas Zuniga (4g, 3a) and senior forward Allando Matheson (7g, 3a) all add another dimension to what should be a potent offense. All-American Athletic Conference First Team selection senior center back Sergio Campbell will anchor what is always a tenacious Connecticut defense. The question mark will be in goal where the Huskies lost All-American Andre Blake who elected to forgo his senior season in Storrs to enter the professional ranks. If everything falls in place the Huskies look to be well positioned to make a run at the 2014 National Championship.

#7

New Mexico

Seven starters return from the 2013 team that was 14-6-2 overall and advanced to the College Cup. Key loses might affect the Lobos initially, but by the end of regular season play New Mexico will be organized, very good going forward, and smart defensively, trademarks of the program under Jeremy Fishbein. The Lobos lose attacking midfielder Michael Calderon (6g, 5a), defensive midfielder Michael Kafari, All-American center back Kyle Venter, and goalkeeper Michael Lisch due to graduation. Fishbein enters his 13th season at New Mexico with an established system and pipeline of players ready and eager for their opportunity to contribute so don't expect a drop off in the level of play. Senior James Rogers (7g, 6a) and sophomore Niko Hansen (7g, 5a) return up-top. Junior transfer foward Kevin Correa from St. Francis (N.Y.) is a huge addition to the offense. Junior Ben McKendry (5g, 1a) and sophomore Chris Wehan (3g, 1a) will add to the attack in the midfield. Seniors Mathew Gibbons, Riley McGovern and Nick Miele are among a solid core of returning backs.

#8

North Carolina

The Tar Heels had trouble finding the back of the net on a consistent basis last year. That should not be the case in 2014. Forwards Rob Lovejoy and Andy Craven return as fifth year seniors after missing the 2013 season due to injury. Senior forward Tyler Engel who led the Tar Heels in scoring last year adds yet another dimension to the attack as does highly regarded freshman forward Alan Winn who may prove to be just what the doctor ordered for the Tar Heel offense. The North Carolina backline that includes seniors Boyd Okwuonu and Jordan McCrary and junior Jonathan Campbell may be the strongest in the country. Senior Brendan Moore returns in goal with the advantage of a year of staring experience under his belt. If the Tar Heels answer the bell on the offensive side of the ball in 2014 this is a team that has a very good chance to still be playing in December.

#9

Georgetown

The Hoyas lost a few major pieces that helped make the program a factor on the national scene but they have added a 2014 recruiting class that does an excellent job of filling the gaps that exist. However, there is no getting around the fact that Georgetown will miss the services of playmaking forward Steve Neumann who had 41 career goals and 34 assists during his four year tenure at Georgetown. Junior All-American forward Brandon Allen and sophomore forward Alex Muyl are among those who will power the Georgetown attack in 2014. Midfielder Joey Dillon who was a four year starter must also be replaced but a very talented and deep group of midfielders return led by senior Tyler Rudy. Senior Tomas Gomez who has been the starter in goal for the Hoyas for the past three seasons returns along with the entire starting backline of super sophomore Joshua Yaro and juniors Keegan Rosenberry, Josh Turnley, and Cole Seller. The Hoyas will be young in places but they remain a very tough team to tangle with.

#10

California

The Golden Bears lost a lot of talent from the 2013 team that earned the number four seed in the NCAA Tournament and advanced to the Elite Eight. The graduation of center back Steve Birnbaum (10g, 1a), midfielders Alec Sudly (9g, 2a) and Ryan Neil and the decision of back Christian Dean to forgo his senior season to enter the professional ranks creates a big void to fill. Forward Stefano Bonomo, midfielders Seth Casiple and Connor Hallisey and defender Dylan Serrano are among the seniors on the 2014 team who will have the opportunity to create their own senior legacy. The addition of sophomore transfer center back Trevor Haberkorn is a huge plus on the defensive side of the ball. Senior Justin Taillole who was a Second Team All-Pac-12 selection in 2013 returns in goal.

#11

Michigan State

On the offensive side of the ball the Spartans return senior forwards Tim Kreutz (9g, 5a) and Adam Montague (6g, 9a), senior midfielder Fatai Alashe (4g, 2a) and junior midfielder Jay Chapman (3g, 8a) from the 2013 team that won a school record fourteen contests and advanced to the Elite Eight where they lost to eventual national champion Notre Dame 2-1. Rebuilding is required on the defensive side of the ball due to the graduation of All-American center back Kevin Cope and left back Ryan Thelen (2g, 7a). Redshirt senior center back Ryan Keener who has been a starter for the past three seasons will anchor the defense along with junior Zach Bennett who recorded a school record thirteen shutouts in goal last year. Junior center back Zach Carroll who transfers in from Virginia is a great addition and will hit the ground running.

#12

Marquette

The Golden Eagles had a great run last year, losing to Virginia in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament. The loss to the Cavaliers was a disappointing and unexpected end to an otherwise very special season due to the fact that the Golden Eagles were unable to put away a Virginia team that played a man down almost the entire match. Nonetheless, Marquette is a team that under the direction of Louis Bennett, who who will begin his ninth season as the Golden Eagles head coach in 2014, now expects to win and usually finds a way to do so. Marquette is stong up the spine with the return of redshirt senior Charlie Lyon in goal, redshirt senior Axel Sjoberg at center back, midfielders Louis Bennett II (4g, 5a) and Brady Wahl, and forwards C. Nortey (10g, 2a) and Coco Navarro (3g, 5a).

#13

Louisville

The Cardinals move to the Atlantic Coast Conference and into their new 18.5 million state-of-the-art Lynn Stadium. A lot of younger players earned valuable playing time for Louisville last year which should pay dividends in 2014. Junior forward Ricardo Velazco (7g,9a), a 2013 All-American Conference First Team selection, will power the attack up-top. Super sophomore Andrew Brody (3g, 8a) is among a solid contingent of returning midfielders. Louisville will be without defender Jimmy Ockford, the 2013 American Conference Defensive Player of the Year, but a very solid group of backs returns led by sophomore Michael DeGraffenreidt. Senior Joachim Ball who had a 0.69 gaa last year with eight shutouts returns between the pipes.

#14

Stanford

It didn't take long for Jeremy Gunn to build Stanford into a powerhouse. Senior Zach Batteer (9g, 3a) and sophomore Jordan Morris (6g, 7a) who were First Team All-Pac-12 selections last year return up-top. Some rebuilding is required in the midfield due to the grauation of holding midfielder JJ Koval and the decision of Aaron Kovar to leave early to ink a homegrown contract with the Seattle Sounders. Junior Ty Thompson (0g, 4a) and senior Jimmy Callinan (0g, 3a) are among returning midfielders. Newcomer Corey Baird who is ranked by College Soccer News as the number one player in the class of 2014 should help fill the void in the midfield. Junior center back Brandon Vincent, a 2013 Second Team All-Pac 12 selecion and redshirt senior Matt Taylor return to anchor the backline. Look for Stanford to begin winning more of the close contests that have eluded them the past two seasons.

#15

UC Santa Barbara

The Gauchos have some voids to fill due to the graduation of a very productive senior class from the 2013 squad but they return a very talented although young core group of players that includes five sophomores who were starters last year as freshman. In addition Tim Vom Steeg has added a very impressive recruiting class that includes Adonis Amaya, Axel Mendez, and Ryo Fujii who could compete for minutes from the get-go. Sophomores Ismaila Jome and Drew Murphy are prime timers who will be at the heart of the Gaucho midfield. Sophomore center back Nick DePuy will anchor the defense along with sophomore goalkeeper Josh McNeely. Senior forward Reed McKenna is among the upper classmen who will be counted on for offensive firepower. The talent is on board to fill the gaps, but it may take Vom Steeg a while to merge it together into a unified and disciplined group.

#16

Wake Forest

The Deacons have some reloading to do on the offensive side of the ball due to the loss of forward Sean Okoli (9g, 3a) who elected to forgo his senior season to sign a Homegrown Contract with the Seattle Sounders, and forwards Luca Gimenez (8g, 5a) and Andy Lubahn (5g, 4a) who graduated. Junior forward Michael Gamble (4g, 4a) looks to be the centerpiece in the Wake Forest attack in 2014. Sophomores Ian Harkes (1g, 7a) and Jacori Hayes (1g, 1a) return in the midfield after gaining valuable experience last year. The graduation of midfielder Jared Watts, a three time All-ACC First Team selection and the decison of center back Jalen Robinson to forgo his two remaining seasons of eligibility to sign a Homegrown Contract with DC United means the Deacs also have some gaps to plug on the defensive side of the ball. Senior Sam Fink and sophomore Rafael Fagundo are among returning backs. Alec Ferrell and Andrew Harris return in goal. Count the Deacons among the programs that will be talented but that are faced with the challenge of having a number of younger players in key roles.

#17

Akron

Jared Embick enters his second season at helm of the Akron program with the challenge of replacing Robbie Derschang, Eric Stevenson, Aodhan Quinn and Reinaldo Brenes who were selected in the MLS SuperDraft in addition to defender Bryan Gallego who elected to forgo his senior season to sign an MLS Homegrown Contract. The Zips will be without five of their top six goal scorers from the 2013 team that was 17-4-1 overall. Sophomore midfielder Adam Najem (4g, 9a) and junior forward Sean Sepe who transfers in from St. Johns where he was a 2013 All-Big East Second Team selection are among the players who will be counted on to fill the void on the offensive side of the ball. The defense looks solid with the return of sophomore defensive mid Victor Souto along with junior backs Andrew Souders and senior Saad Abdul-Salaam. Junior Jake Fenlason who started the final four contests last year returns in goal. Akron will have to count on some young players which could be problematic in the early part of the season.

#18

Coastal Carolina

Eight starters return from the 2013 team that recorded nineteen wins, won the Big South regular season and tournament titles, and advanced to the third round of the NCAA Tournament for the second year in a row. Senior Ricky Garbanzo (13g,1a) and sophomore Sergio Camargo (9g, 5a) return to lead what looks to again be a very high powered Chanticleer offense. Coastal finished the 2013 season ranked second in the NCAA with forty-seven goals and third in assists with forty-four. Senior forward Jordan Tyler who transfers in from Penn State where he was a 2013 All-Big Ten First Team selection adds yet another dimension to the attack. Senior Shawn McLaws, the 2013 Big South Defensive Player of the Year, and senior Uchenna Uzo return to anchor the defense along with redshirt junior goalkeeper Devin Cook-Perales who set the Coastal Carolina single season record last year when he notched twelve shutouts. The Chanticleers have the opportunity to rocket upward in the rankings with season opening contests on the road against Connecticut, Maryland, and Charlotte.

#19

UC Irvine

Chris Volk takes over the reins of the program from George Kuntz after serving as an assistant under Kuntz for seventeen seasons. Volk faces the immediate challenge of replacing the firepower lost due to the graduation of midfielder Enrique Cardenas and forward Christopher Santana. Volk will likely look to forwards Cameron Iwasa (7g, 4a) and Lester Hayes (4g, 2a) to power the attack. Transfers Edgardo Molina from Foothill Community College and Eduardo Calzada and Mario Ortiz from CSU Bakerfield could prove to be difference makers on the offensive side of the ball. The midfield looks solid with the return of Mitchell Alvarez and Mats Bjurman supplemented by several very capable redshirts. The graduation of All-American back Marco Franco and Tarek Morad leaves some big shoes to fill on the defensive side of the ball but backs Bryan Breslin and Thomas Janjigian along with goalkeeper Michael Breslin who recorded ten shutouts last year return to provide a solid foundation upon which to build.

#20

UMBC

Eight starters return. No reason why the Retrievers can't build on their banner 2013 season during which they won sixteen contests, won the America East regular season and conference titles, earned a berth in the NCAA Tournament for the third time in the last four seasons, and finished the season ranked as the number fourteen team in the country. The biggest challenge facing Pete Caringi, Jr. is replacing the offensive firepower that All-American forward Pete Caringi III and center midfielder Kadeem Dacres brought to the pitch. Transfer forward senior Kay Banjo who played at Towson from 2010 to 2012 and attacking midfielder senior Geaton Caltabiano (4g, 8a) are the likely candidates to fill the void. Senior captain Mamadou Kansaye (3g, 7a) is a very solid holding midfielder. The backline looks to be very good with the return of senior center back Qumar Ballo, Marquez Fernandez and Jordan Becker. Finding a replacement for Phil Saunders in goal appears to be Caringi's second challenge.

#21

Charlotte

The 49ers finished the 2013 season with a 12-6-3 overall record, won the Conference USA Tournament, made their third appearance in the NCAA Tournament in the past four seasons, and were awarded the thirteenth seed. Charlotte must replace the offensive productivity provided by Giuseppe Gentile (8g, 3a) and midfielders Tyler Gibson (3g, 4a) and Aidan Kirkbride (4g, 1a). Junior Kyle Parker (11g, 3a) returns to give the 49ers a big time go-to goal scorer up-top. Senior Monbo Bokar (0g, 1a) and sophomore Hans Honer (1g, 2a) are also very capable forwards. Freshman Dean Rutherford could also see minutes up-top. Senior Robby Thomas (0g, 1a) and sophomore Brandt Bronico (3g, 2a) are among returning midfielders. The 49ers must replace defender Thomas Allen and goalkeeper Klay Davis but a solid neculeus returns in the back led by junior center back Biko Bradnock-Brennan, senior David Mayer, junior Nick Barnhorst and sophomore Luke Waechter.

#22

Penn State

Seven starters return from the 2013 team that was 13-6-2 overall, secured their second straight Big Ten title, and advanced to the third round of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the 2010 campaign. The Nittany Lions will be without defenders Martin Seiler and Akil Howard and midfielder Grant Warming due to graduation and All-Big Ten First Team forward Jordan Tyler (5g, 1a) who transferred. All-American goalkeeper Andrew Wolverton returns to anchor what should be a solid defense along with backs senior Mike Robinson, redshirt junior Randy Falk, and redshirt senior Eli Dennis. Junior Drew Klingenberg (1g, 4a) returns up-top along with sophomore Connor Maloney (2g, 7a). Senior Owen Griffith (2g, 2a) and sophomore Mason Klerks (0g, 3a) are among returning linkmen. Junior transfers midfielder Brian James from Virginia and midfielder Brando Savino from St. John's are solid additions who should contribute immediately. .

#23

CSUN

The Matadors finished the 2013 season with a 15-7-1 overall record and a frustrating feeling of what might have been due to the fact that they ended the season with a loss to UC Irvine in the Big West Tournament Final followed by a loss to Stanford at home in the NCAA Tourney. CSUN will not have to search for a goal scorer. They have one of the best in the cournty in All-American senior forward Sagi Le-Ari who found the back of the net sixteen times last year. RS senior Edwin Rivas (4g, 4a) who was a 2013 All-Big West Second Team selection also returns up-top. The defense looks to be solid as the backline returns intact led by center back Trevor Morley who was a 2013 All-Big West First Team selection. Junior Adam Hobbs who started twenty-two contests last year with a 1.05 goals against average returns between the pipes. Some reloading will be required in the midfield due to the graduation of Chris Smith and Carlos Benavides. If the Matadors play to their potential, they should have another very productive season in 2014.

#24

Clemson

Nine starters return along with a top ten recruiting class but but there is no getting around the fact that the Tigers will miss what All-American midfielder Thomas McNamara brought to the pitch last year. Senior midfielders Manolo Sanchez (5g, 3a) and Ara Amirkhanian (6g, 3a) and junior forward T.J. Casner (3g, 2a) will be among those who Mike Noonan will likely look to for offensive punch in 2014. Freshman forward Diego Campos out of Montverde Academy is a pure goal scorer who will make his presence known before his tenure at Clemson is over. Junior Paul Clowes and sophomore Alex Happi are among what looks to be a very deep and talented Clemson midfield. The backline looks to be very good with the return of seniors Phanuel Kavita and Amadou Dia and junior Kyle Fisher. Redshirt sophomore Andrew Tarbell and redshirt junior Chris Glodack are both very capable goalkeepers. Noonan has Clemson back on solid footing as reflected in his 2014 recruiting class so you can expect the trend line to continue upward.

#25

Old Dominion

Senior forward Ivan Militar (4g, 9a) and sophomore left footer Jesse Miralrio (4g, 5a) appear to be the most likely candidates to fill the void that exists due to the graduation of All-American forward Tim Hopkinson, the 2013 CUSA Offensive Player of the Year. Junior midfielder Ryan Condotta (2g, 2a) is the guy who will play a key role in getting the ball to the feet of the ODU bigs in the attacking third. Some rebuilding is required in the backline but with senior Skylar Hagan, junior Michael Nelson, and sophomore Nick Hutchinson all returning there is plenty of talent to work with. Finding a replacement in goal for Sean Stowe is one of the key critical success factors for head coach Alan Dawson who has directed the Monarchs to a berth in the NCAA Tourney ten times in the past twelve seasons.

#26

Navy

When we last saw Navy they had topped Holy Cross 2-0 to win the 2013 Patriot League Championship to earn a berth in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1988. They then thumped VCU 3-0 in the first round of the NCAA Tourney to win their first NCAA Tourney game since 1971. Navy then gave Wake Forest all they could handle before losing 2-1 in the Second Round. The Midshipmen were pretty remarkable last year. The question now is what are the Midshipmen and their mentor Dave Brandt going to do for an encore. Navy loses about half of its starting lineup from last year but they return junior forward Jamie Dubyoski (10g, 3a) who was the 2013 Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year. The key in 2014 looks to be the emergence of a second goal-scoring threat so defenses can't solely focus on Dubyoski. The Midshipmen also return All-American back Joe Greenspan who was the Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year and center back Derek Vogel.

#27

VCU

The VCU schedule is again a minefield with non-conference contests with Notre Dame, Maryland, New Mexico, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgetown and Old Dominion. Last year the Rams had a double-digit win total for the third consecutive season, despite a brutal dance card that was very interesting but may have left them a little leg weary down the homestretch. Kharlton Belmar returns to led the VCU attack up-top. Senior Mario Herrera Meraz and senior Ritchie Duffie will take care of business on the left and right wings respectively. Junior Devon Fisher (3g, 1a) will set the tone and pace for the team in the holding midfielder role. The VCU backline looks to be a team strength with the return of Costa Ricans Dennis Castillo and Juan Monge Solano and center backs Juan Fajardo Ortiz of Honduras and Assane Keita of Sengal. Castillo and Solano also add an additional dimension to the VCU attack with their ability to push forward to give the Rams a numbers advantage. The biggest challenge facing Dave Giffard as he enters his fifth season as the VCU head coach appears to be finding a replacement in goal for two-year starter Andrew Wells who has graduated.

#28

South Florida

South Florida is a team that some may overlook heading into the 2014 season due to the fact that they only won eight contests last year. That would be a mistake. The Bulls played everyone close last year and won the American Athletic Conference Tourney but without a Dom Dwyer type presence on the offensive side of the ball they lacked the big play ability that has served them so well in the past. They were solid defensively but big goals win big games. Look for the Bulls to find the back of the net more often in 2014 while continuing to play tenacious defense. Senior Edwin Moalosi (5g, 4a) and sophomore midfielder Lindo Mfeka (5g, 4a) are among returning players who will power the offense in 2014. Senior Tyler Blackwood, who transfers in from the University of Tampa where he was the Sunshine Player of the Year for the past two seasons and junior transfer center midfielder Atsou Ayah are among the newcomers who have the potential to be difference makers. Some rebuilding is required on the defensive side of the ball but don't expect a dropoff in that regard.

#29

Delaware

Eight starters return from the 2013 team that won a school record fourteen contests and earned an at-large berth in the NCAA Tournament. Despite a banner 2013 season the Blue Hens should be motivated and hungry for more in 2014 after coming out on the short end of a penalty kick shootout with Drexel in the semifinals of the CAA Tourney and being topped 2-1 by St. John's at home in the first round of the NCAA Tourney. The Blue Hens averaged 2.25 goals per game last year to rank number two nationally in scoring. Look for Delaware to continue to find the back of the net on a regular basis in 2014 with a high octane attack led by All-American sophomore midfielder Guillermo Delgado (15g, 5a) , senior forward Roberto Gimenez (5g, 6a), and midfielders Jaime Martinez (5g, 6a) and Joe Dipre (5g, 2a). Senior Ignacio Martin, who has been a starter since arriving on campus, returns to anchor the backline along with highly regarded senior goalkeeper Borja Barbero who was a 2013 All-CAA First Team selection.

#30

Duke

John Kerr will enter his seventh season as the Duke head coach with as talented and deep a team as you will find supplemented by a stellar recruiting class. The Blue Devils completed the 2013 season on an eight game undefeated streak before before closing out the season with a 1-0 lose to Notre Dame. Senior center midfielder Sean Davis (6g, 3a) is a special player. If he is able to unlock defenses the forward duo of highly regarded freshman Jeremy Ebobisse out of the Bethesda-Olney Academy and sophomore Brody Huitema (6g, 4a) could become the best 1-2 combination in the country. Senior midfielder Nick Palodichuk (4g, 4a) will add an additional dimension to the attack. Duke will be without center back Sebastien Ibeagha due to graduation but senior Nat Eggleston and junior Zach Mathers are among a solid core of returning defenders.